A UMKC Business Graduate and Pro Soccer player for the Missouri Comets has joined Lawson Bank as a VP of Business Development. Brian will focus on commercial lending throughout the KC Metro. Brian is well known in the community and Lawson Bank is excited to have him on our team.

When he’s not busting his hump during a grueling rehabilitation session at BOOST Physical Therapy & Sports Performance in Liberty or Independence, Missouri Comets all-league defender Brian Harris is busting the chops of athletic trainer/physical therapist/owner Travis Neff and his staff.

“Let’s just say we have some fun, and make a few comments you don’t want to put in The Examiner,” joked Neff, as Harris nodded in agreement. “Brian is the type of person who works so hard, he motivates the 75-year-old grandma who is in here rehabbing after hip replacement surgery. She sees how hard he’s working and that makes her want to work that hard. And she is by no means a professional athlete.

“I’ve been working with non-athletes, pro athletes, Division I college athletes and high school kids for 18 years – and I’ve seen it all – but few individuals have the desire or the work ethic of Brian. We all look forward to his rehab sessions, but don’t let him know I said that (grinning). It’s fun to come in here, beat up on him and then have some more fun when the session is over.”

Physical therapist Nathan Carlson agrees.

“If Brian comes in at 8 a.m., he’s usually been to the gym for an hour before working on his upper body – just to get ready for our session,” Carlson said. “He’s fun to work with because he’s so motivated. How many people look forward to rehab? It’s tough. It can be painful. But Brian works so hard that he makes it fun for everyone – even for our other clients who are watching him.”

That work ethic and passion isn’t confined to the soccer field or rehab stations.

Randy Baker, the president and CEO of Lawson Bank, just hired the popular defender as a vice president of the bank, working as a junior lender specializing in business development.

“Let’s face it, Brian is an extremely intelligent guy who is a real go-getter,” Baker said from his office in Lawson, Mo. “He’s so well-liked by the fans, he isn’t shy and he has a strong work ethic. I’ve known him since day one (the expansion Comets started playing in the now-defunct MISL in 2010), and we’ve talked about life after soccer. While he still has many years to play the game, he was always thinking about his future, and we are excited to be a part of it. Our executive team was very excited when I talked with them about Brian joining our bank.”

]]>https://www.lawsonbank.com/lawson-banks-harris-gets-boost-to-prepare-for-season/feed/0Offices are open July 3rd but Closed July 4th.https://www.lawsonbank.com/offices-are-open-july-3rd-but-closed-july-4th/
https://www.lawsonbank.com/offices-are-open-july-3rd-but-closed-july-4th/#commentsTue, 30 Jun 2015 21:33:31 +0000https://www.lawsonbank.com/?p=5088 Our offices will be open July 3rd but closed July 4th. We wish everyone a safe 4th of July.
]]>https://www.lawsonbank.com/offices-are-open-july-3rd-but-closed-july-4th/feed/0North Oak Branch Closed June 26th, 2015https://www.lawsonbank.com/north-oak-branch-closed-june-26th-2015/
https://www.lawsonbank.com/north-oak-branch-closed-june-26th-2015/#commentsFri, 26 Jun 2015 13:22:52 +0000https://www.lawsonbank.com/?p=5084Due to the storms in the early morning, fallen tree limbs have knocked out the power lines and the North Oak location will be closed today. Please visit our Antioch location.

Being a savvy consumer in your healthcare purchasing decisions provides you with information and incentives to choose healthcare providers based on value. Value is not only about price but also includes quality. You can save money on your healthcare expenses by finding and employing physicians and other providers who believe in the free market. The tips listed below are a few of the many ways to lower your out-of-pocket expenditures and possibly your future premiums.

Ask the Price First

You can shop around for healthcare services just like you do with anything else you buy. Many insurance plans do not require you to use the provider your doctor refers you to or recommends. For example, if you need an MRI, there is no need to utilize a high-priced hospital when the free-standing imaging center a few miles away may cost much less. Let your physicians know that you want to shop around for the best value, and they can write orders any imaging center can follow. Call ahead to each imaging center and ask about the costs. If you are a cash paying customer, let the facility know and you will often get a better deal. This strategy works for most, if not all, non-emergency services such as imaging, labs, outpatient surgeries, sleep studies and outpatient testing.

Use Online Tools to Help Shop for Services

Healthcare Blue Book

(www.healthcarebluebook.com) is an online tool that prices healthcare in a similar way to how Kelly Blue Book prices automobiles. This particular tool, which gives you fair price information for services in your zip code, can help you:

Understand your treatment options

Understand the fair price for a specific healthcare service

Work with your doctor to use a fair price provider

Get Your Labs at a Non-Hospital Setting

Just like with imaging providers, there are many free-standing or independent laboratories and draw sites that can save you money. Even when your physician draws the labs in the office, have a discussion about the cost of the lab he is utilizing. If you feel you can get a better value elsewhere, your physician can write the lab orders for you to use at any independent laboratory. Often the charges at these independent sites are about a 50 percent savings.

Try to Stay In Network While Being Open to Other Options

Your health plan will likely provide a better benefit when you utilize an in-network provider. However, staying in network does not always mean the best value for your healthcare dollars. If there is a provider that can save you money but is out of network, it still may be a better long-term value to utilize this provider.

You may even be able to submit receipts for care to your insurer for reimbursement or deductible credit. Is your employer self-funded? If so, let them know about cost-effective providers you find as they may be able to directly negotiate with the provider and have the claims classified as in network. Self-funded employers save money directly when employees utilize high-value providers.

Healthcare is one of the costliest things we buy but it doesn’t need to be. Become a better healthcare shopper by making a few phone calls and knowing your options, which can ultimately result in significant savings.

CONSUMER TIPS is provided as a public service by the Missouri Independent Bankers Association with the understanding that the association is not engaged in rendering specific legal, accounting, or other professional services. If specific expert assistance is required, the services of a competent, professional person should be sought.

]]>https://www.lawsonbank.com/%ef%bb%bfhow-to-reduce-your-healthcare-spending/feed/0North Oak Branch Remodel Scheduled to be completed the week of May 18thhttps://www.lawsonbank.com/north-oak-branch-remodel-scheduled-to-be-completed-the-week-of-may-18th/
https://www.lawsonbank.com/north-oak-branch-remodel-scheduled-to-be-completed-the-week-of-may-18th/#commentsTue, 12 May 2015 14:15:50 +0000https://www.lawsonbank.com/?p=4981We are proud to announce the remodel of our North Oak location. Design and construction has been done by Jay Roberts Design located in North Kansas City. We are scheduled to have our lobby reopen May 18th.
]]>https://www.lawsonbank.com/north-oak-branch-remodel-scheduled-to-be-completed-the-week-of-may-18th/feed/0Mike Morris Northland Commercial Lender Joins Lawson Bankhttps://www.lawsonbank.com/mike-morris-northland-commercial-lender-joins-lawson-bank/
https://www.lawsonbank.com/mike-morris-northland-commercial-lender-joins-lawson-bank/#commentsTue, 12 May 2015 13:11:16 +0000https://www.lawsonbank.com/?p=4978Mike Morris joins Lawson Bank as Senior Vice President. He brings with him over 25 years of banking experience, and applying strong expertise in credit analysis and commercial lending. He has helped businesses obtain capital for all of their financial goals and needs, successfully helping them grow in the Northland for over 20 years. Mike will be a welcome addition to the products and services Lawson Bank has to offer our clients.

(OVERLAND PARK, Kan.) Lawing Financial Inc® announced today a partnership with Lawson Bank to provide a variety of financial services to the venerable bank’s customers.

“We’re really excited about this partnership,” said Brad Lawing, Managing Director of Lawing Financial. “Lawson Bank clearly has their customers in mind with this commitment to providing a new service arm, and we couldn’t be more proud to work with them.”

“This partnership is another example of our commitment to going out of our way, every day, for our clients,” said Randy L. Baker, Lawson Bank President and CEO. “We strive to assist our customers with every aspect of their financial lives, and working with Lawing Financial helps us achieve this goal.”

Founded in 1883, Lawson Bank is a $125 million-asset bank based in Lawson, Mo., that also has branches in Gladstone, Excelsior Springs and Kansas City. Lawson Bank was awarded an honorable mention as one of the Kansas City Business Journal‘s Strongest Small Banks.

Lawing Financial has done business in the Kansas City area and the surrounding Midwest since the mid-1980’s. Grounded in a team-based, client-centric approach to full service financial advice, Lawing offers a wide selection of services, including retirement and wealth management, estate and retirement planning, tax-reduction strategies, and business succession management.

Lawing Financial is located at 6201 College Boulevard, 7th Floor Overland Park, Kansas 66211. Call 913.491.6226 or visit www.LawingFinancial.com for more information.

About Lawing Financial

The Power of the Team Approach is the hallmark of Lawing Financial, Inc. They have been doing business in the Kansas City area and the surrounding Midwest since the mid-1980’s and offer a wide selection of services, including retirement and wealth management, estate and retirement planning, tax-reduction strategies, and business succession management. In doing business as “Qualified Plan Advisors”, the firm also provides fiduciary investment management and participant education services to qualified retirement plan fiduciaries and participants. Please visit http://www.LawingFinancial.com for more information regarding Lawing Financial or Qualified Plan Advisors, or contact Kerry Lawing at 913.491.6226 or klawing@lawingfinancial.com.

How To Build Credit…Tips for College Grads and Everyone ElseEveryone has to begin building credit at some point, although it can be a tricky situation. Without a credit card, it’s hard to build credit history. Without credit history, it’s hard to qualify for a credit card. Following college graduation is often when individuals apply for their first credit card but there are many others who don’t start building credit until years after they’re eligible. If you’re under 21 years old, you’ll need either a card co-signer or a verifiable income to prove you can repay your credit card.

Below are simple and effective tips to build credit either for those with no credit history or those looking to repair bad credit history.

Get a Credit Card

For your first credit card, or if you’ve been denied credit in the past, look for options available to those with little or no credit.

Secured credit cards – Almost any applicant will qualify for this type of card as it’s backed by a mandatory cash collateral deposit (a deposit equal to the credit limit), which helps remove the risk of default.

Retail credit cards – This type of card is commonly used to build credit—think of a card for a department store or gas station. However, these generally have lower credit limits and much higher interest rates so you want to be sure to pay in full each month.

Become an authorized user – Ask a family member to be authorized on his/her card, and this can be good for both of your credit histories if handled responsibly. However, if the person whose card you’re authorized on defaults, it’s bad for both of your credit histories. Do this only with someone you trust.

Remember that every major decision, especially financial ones, should be done with care and consideration. Before you open any type of credit card, read the fine print to understand the fees, interest payments, reward program details and other information.

Use Credit Responsibly

After you receive your first credit card, no matter what type of card it is, it’s extremely important to start building good credit. Once you have a solid credit history, you’ll be offered the best cards, rates and loans. Below are tips for how to handle credit responsibly.

Pay your card in full each month – As much as possible, pay your entire balance to avoid wasting money on interest. This will help your credit history as well.

Pay your bill on time – Creditors care about your on-time payment history. Even if you’re paying the minimum monthly balance, pay on time every month.

Don’t carry a large balance – Experts advise to use no more than 30 percent of your credit limit at any time. Otherwise, it looks like you’re dependent on credit and a possible risk.

Use your card regularly – Unused credit accounts may be closed by issuers after a certain period of time. This will cause your credit utilization to go up and your length of payment history to go down, neither of which are good for your credit report.

Keep accounts open for as long as possible – Unless an unused card has an annual fee, keep it open and active to boost credit utilization and length of payment history on your credit report.

Check each of your credit reports annually – You are entitled to a free credit report annually from the three major credit reporting agencies—Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Use AnnualCreditReport.com to access these reports each year to ensure there are no errors or discrepancies.

If you’re responsible and follow good credit guidelines, you’ll find that you are rewarded with a good credit score—which is based on your credit history—and the many perks that come with it. It’s never too late to begin building credit or repairing bad credit, and your local community banker will be happy to work with you.

CONSUMER TIPS is provided as a public service by the Missouri Independent Bankers Association with the understanding that the association is not engaged in rendering specific legal, accounting, or other professional services. If specific expert assistance is required, the services of a competent, professional person should be sought.

Members, feel free to reprint the information in this column with your own public service message. Remember, you can insert your bank’s logo and use these tips as statement stuffers for your customers. If you did not receive this column by email and would like to be added to the email list, send your request to jpederson@miba.net.